Lake Geneva Real Estate

This Sunday, August 7th I am  joining a host of others for a fund raising event called Swim4Freedom.  This is an 8 mile swim from Lake Geneva to Fontana, Wi. and it starts off the Riviera on Lake Geneva’s lakefront.  While I have always enjoyed open water swimming getting ready for this has taken me to a new level of ‘being in the lake’.  My sister and I got involved with triathalons late in life and the training for them were just part of the process.  While we stopped doing those for a variety of reasons but this was an intriguing adverture.  An aside, I have never been in swimming races nor am I now.  I am a good swimmer but speed is something I will have to acquire!   Nevertheless I am hopping in the water with some friends this Sunday at 6:00 a.m.  

What is so special about Geneva Lake is the water.  Geneva Lake is a true spring fed lake that empties out through the White River in downtown Lake Geneva.  It is a northern lake in southeastern Wisconsin and the quality of the water drives the real estate values of the homes on the lake.  We are blessed to be able to use this resource all year round.  Wether frozen or liquid the water is the drawing card and protection of it is paramount.  As I swim in Fontana in the morning I note paddleboarding, wind surfing, kayaking and rowing being part of the waterscape. 

Pricing on the lakefront continues to remain steady through the ebb and flow of the financial markets.  While we have seen some reduction in pricing families are moving in to capture their piece of Geneva Lake and most are cash transactions.   If you are looking to ‘dip your toe’ in Geneva Lake real estate and make a wise, long term financial investment then Geneva Lake is the water to be one.   In the meantime I plan to swim by the existing lakefront from a true ‘water view’.  Stay tuned!

One of the benefits of jogging or walking through Geneva National is the changing landscape.  This morning I decided to cut down through Prestwick Drive.  Always a scenic street becuase you have the Palmer golf course on one side and the Trevino on the other.  This street is rolling and on the last big hill you come up and look out an over the country landscape taking in the Geneva National Golf Club and the savannah areas of Lake Como.  While always pretty this morning I was met with a great surprise – two balloonist!  Hanging in the sky and so low I could hear the heat blasts to monitor their height.  The balloon colors against the backdrop of the lake area was amazing.  As they moved on so did I moving down along Geneva National South.  (it is getting hot!)  So I am hitting the next hill and what wonders across the street.  Three cranes and youngsters too!  I had to left becuase they are gawky and taking their time moving to Lake Como.  With the additional homes, added ponds and water features we now have cranes about Geneva National.  Also fun to hear them on the golf course honking at the golfers…hey who’s course is it anyway?!   Last but not least is Geneva National west which is heavy with trees and a massive hill.  I keep working on making it up this hill because it is a killer… Once I get over to Geneva National North is tends become more even terrain but nothing here is flat.  Except my patio! 

If you are looking to live where you play then you should consider Geneva National.  Hiking, biking, jogging, walking, outdoor pools and of course golf…

Home for sale on Prestwick Drive in Geneva National.

Homes for sale on Geneva National South and along Lake Como.

Homes for sale on Geneva National East.

This Saturday, July 16th, ClearWater Outdoor is hosting the Midwest SUP Races at the Riviera Boat docks in downtown Lake Geneva.  Paddleboarding, kayaking, rowing and canoeing are new ways of getting on Geneva Lake and of course, enviromentally friendly.  We are fortunate to have two great company’s, ClearWater Outdoor and Fontana Paddle Company in Fontana provding lessons on stand up paddle boarding.  It is fastly becoming well  know and it is great for your arms, core strength and legs.

I like to do open water swims in Geneva Lake off of Fontana Beach and so it was an easy fit to walk into Fontana Paddle Company right by the lakefront and sign up for a stand up paddle board lesson and 2 hour time slot on the water.  The morning proved calm, clear and gorgeous as I signed all the legal docs ( you know how that goes!) but once you do it you are on file.  A good lesson on a newbie stand up paddle board and I was on my way with my sister Jean Marie.  The board I started out on is meant for first timers and is a little hard but the next level board is more supple and easier on your feet.  Balance, looking to the horizon and  keeping my knees bent worked!  It was great arm work, we got through many waves and overall had a great time.  I would recommend a hat/visor, sun screen, gloves on your hands if you haven’t built up some calluses and most important. RELAX.  The only thing you can do is fall in the water, which I did, and it was great to cool off. 

So visit either store ClearWater or Fontana Paddle Company because everyone is enthusiastic about their product and working with you for your overall health, wellbeing and comfort on and off the water. Get off your toosh and get on the water at Lake Geneva!  

Click here for more informaion on the SUP Masters Race this Saturday, July 16th.

For the past four weeks several Keefe Real Estate Realtors have been in a blogging contest.  A blogging contest?  Yes, because Keefe Real Estate is proactive on the use of blogging, Keyword research, tagging, videos and the integration of social networking to increase real estate sales in Lake Geneva, Delavan, Twin Lakes, Whitewater and Lauderdale Lakes area of Walworth County. 

Key words and key word phrases used in the social networking are important because Google ‘worms’ through new content 24/7.  The Google machine loves to search and thrives on new content, which is blogging, and continually picks up words and phrases from blogs to drive traffic to individual realtors websites, like mine, and listings along with the website of Keefe Real Estate, Keefe Real Estate Lakefront properties and Keefe Real Estate Vacation Rentals.  

What else could be a key word for our Lake Geneva area  How about Abbey Resort at Fontana on Geneva Lake?   Next could be everyone talking about Gordy’s Cobalt boats in Fontana on Geneva Lake.  And, lest we forget Lake Geneva Cruise Lines at the Riviera Boat Dock in downtown Lake Geneva and Gage Marine on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay.  Popeye’s, The Cove, Baker House, Timber Ridge, Egg Harbor Cafe, are all key words that surround our area of Walworth County, Wisconsin and continue to drive traffic to increase sales through the use of social networking.

Social networking is an added marketing tool and blogging to increase traffic does make a difference when buying or selling a home in the Lake Geneva Lake Area.   Looking to find Margaret Canfield, Realtor, Accredited Buyer’s Representative and Keefe Real Estate Realtor?     You can Google me!

This past week the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin real estate market has taken an upturn.   The Lake Geneva summer real estate season brought me phone calls regarding rentals for one week, one month and then 12 months.  Also, phone calls and walk-ins to the Keefe Real Estate office regarding Lake Geneva Lake front homes for sale

Lake Geneva Rental #1

“My family and I are planning a family reunion and Lake Geneva is central location.  Can you help us located a house on the lake for about 2 weeks?”  Yes, I can help you with that request.  Keefe Resort Rentals handles vacation rental property for anything time frame under 3 months.  While Keefe Resort Rentals does not hold their own rental property, we work with homeowners that are looking to rent out their vacation homes and condominiums for a certain period of time.  This could be summer, spring, winter or fall  and on many lakes and condo associations around Walworth County.

Lake Geneva Rental #2

“I am looking for a long term lease, at least 12 months and I need a minimum of 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Is this something you can help me  with?”  Yes.  As a Realtor with Keefe Real Estate I have successfully moved folks into a rental that we had available.  Long term rentals are gaining popularity as some people do not wish to purchase as this time and we have Sellers that are looking to rental their properties.  Rental inventory around Lake Geneva can vary based on the year and the inventory but I can help you make a good decision.

Lake Geneva Lake Front Purchasing.

As of this Fourth of July weekend, 2011, there are 47 Lake Geneva Lake front homes positioned for sale.  The lowest priced Lake Geneva Lake front home is a modern structure located on 80 feet of level frontage just off of Linn Pier Road.  It is listed for $1,249,000.  Why is the a good real estate deal?  Currently lake front sales are running an average about $18,000- $20,000 a linear foot on Lake Geneva.  A million dollar offer on this Lake Geneva lake front home would bring that linear foot pricing to $12,500.  The house can be found on my website 

1993 Birches, Linn/Lake Geneva, WI  MLS 1129846